June 29, 2010

St. Charles, Missouri (The Weekly Vice) - Lori Ann Pellin, a 39-year-old Illinois woman, was jailed Sunday after she allegedly left 25 cats and two dogs in a hot car for hours while she gambled and "used the computer."

According to the St. Charles Police Department, officers were called to the Ameristar Casino parking garage around 12:15 p.m. after a witness reported a large amount of animals left unattended in a Chevy Lumina while outside temperatures soared into the 90's.

Investigators say officers gained entry into the locked car to find 25 cats, with at least eight of them shoved into one crate.

The car was covered in feces and animal food, however there was no water available. Officers also found two dogs, a 1-year-old lab mix and a 2-year-old Boston terrier mix, whose micro-chip identification showed that the dog did not belong to Pellin. The dog's owner had reported it missing about a month prior.

The dog was returned to her owners, who said that "Lucy" had actually gained 10 pounds since she had been gone, but had hookworms and a yeast infection in her ear.

Pellin was found in the casino hotel's computer room around 2:00. She stated that she went into the casino to use the computers because she was now homeless after being evicted from her apartment three days prior. She admitted that she also gambled a little while she was there.

Pellin was booked into jail and charged with two counts of misdemeanor animal abuse. She is being held in lieu of $1,500. She may face more charges depending on the condition of the animals.

The animals were taken to animal control and the St. Charles Humane Society. Officials reported that they did not appear malnourished or unhealthy and will be available for adoption later this week.

Mandi MilenkoThe Weekly Vice

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